Kpokpogri: Court extends order stopping resident demolition 

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, has extended the order restraining the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Hon. Muhammad Bello, from further demolishing the residence of Abuja socialite, Prince Joseph Kpokpogri.

Justice Charles Agbaza held that the order would subsist until the hearing and determination of the suit the Claimant brought before the court.

“This court has the powers to grant an extension of the order in exercise of its discretion so as to preserve the Res (subject matter) of this suit.

“It will serve the interest of justice to allow the order to remain alive until the determination of the matter. Accordingly, this matter is hereby adjourned till September 12”, Justice Agbaza held.

At the resumption of proceeding, Thursday, counsel to the FCT, Mr. Y. Abubakar, urged the court to vacate the restraining order which he said ought to elapse after seven days.

“It is exactly eight days after the order was made. The Rule of this court provides that such order shall abate after seven days and there is no formal application for its extension”, Abubakar submitted.

Reacting, Kpokoogri through his counsel, Mr. Richard Ebie, urged the court to revalidate the order which he argued had no definite lifespan until the determination of the case.

“There is no formal application before this court for the ex-parte order made on July 7 to be vacated.

“This is a case where a party had on its own, decided to take laws into his own hands. If the order is set aside that means they will have a leeway to continue the demolition”, Ebie added.

After he had listened to both sides, Justice Agbaza dismissed the oral application by counsel to the FCT Minister.

Ozekhome had at the last adjourned date, told the court that some persons from the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had on May 14, invaded his client’s residence, “accompanied by a multitude of heavily armed policemen and bulldozers and excavators”, and commenced the demolition of his house, beginning with the boys quarters.

He told the court that agents of the FCDA threatened to return for total demolition of Kpokpogri’s house, even though they failed to give any reason for their action.

Consequently, Ozekhome begged the court to intervene in the matter, in the interest of justice.

Aside from the FCT Minister, other Defendants in the suit are the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Federal Housing Authority, and the Attorney General of the Federation.